newstodate.aero
Apr 08, 2013 (newstodate): The new agreement between Russia and Finland, allowing for designation of a second operator from each side on the route between Moscow and Helsinki may have broader implications.
Finnair has long wished to obtain rights to more flights over Siberia on its growing network of Asian routes from Finland, but Russia has so far stuck to allowing Siberian shortcuts on only three routes by Finnair to Chinese destinations.
Industry sources claim that with the new amendment allowing for a second Russian operator on the route Moscow-Helsinki, Finnair can look forward to more overflight rights through Russia's Siberian airspace, which reduces flying time and fuel consumption.
Aeroflot is today fully utilizing its allocated 14 weekly flights, while Finnair is operating only nine out of 14 possible flights, seven of which are also operated in a code-share agreement with Aeroflot.
Finnair has long wished to obtain rights to more flights over Siberia on its growing network of Asian routes from Finland, but Russia has so far stuck to allowing Siberian shortcuts on only three routes by Finnair to Chinese destinations.
Industry sources claim that with the new amendment allowing for a second Russian operator on the route Moscow-Helsinki, Finnair can look forward to more overflight rights through Russia's Siberian airspace, which reduces flying time and fuel consumption.
Aeroflot is today fully utilizing its allocated 14 weekly flights, while Finnair is operating only nine out of 14 possible flights, seven of which are also operated in a code-share agreement with Aeroflot.